UCF Football News: Reserve running back Jonathan Davis eager to step up as team leader

UCF running back Jonathan Davis wants to be the leader captured by ESPN's cameras during the St. Petersburg Bowl.

Rutgers had a commanding lead over UCF during the bowl game when Davis marched up to the offensive to deliver a fiery pep talk. Davis, a true freshman and the Knights' reserve running back behind sophomore Brynn Harvey, impressed the ESPN announcers and a lot of UCF fans.

"When I got home, that's the only thing I heard about," Davis said of the sideline chat. "You know, my boys, I thought they were being a little soft so I had to spark some fire underneath them. They were all just all being nonchalant. That's just me. I don't like to see others, especially my linemen down, so I had to spark them up."

Davis has backed up the tough talk in the weight room and on the football field. Although he is undersized at 5-foot-9, he has built up muscular frame to 194 pounds. He bounces like a pin ball through defenses, expertly exploiting holes and pushing around defensive players often surprised by his strength.

However, Davis the first to admit there is plenty of room for improvement.

He was among nine UCF players who were suspended from two practices this spring for leaving class early and failing to follow team rules. Davis said the group of players didn't think UCF coach George O'Leary would really suspend them, but they quickly realized he was serious and worried how long they would miss practice.

"I came over here and talked to him," Davis said. "I apologized and everything and he was like, `I still don't know how long I'm going to keep you all out. I'll let you all know.' So I'm glad he brought us back."

O'Leary said Davis has potential to be a strong football player if he can stay focused.

"Jonathan, again, his biggest problem is himself," O'Leary said. " … He's not a real detailed guy. I mean the position calls for some things that have got to be detailed. That's where he has to grow up, but otherwise he has a lot of talent."

Harvey, the Knights' starter, suffered a knee injury while Davis was serving his suspension and is not expected to return to the UCF lineup until preseason camp in August. Redshirt freshman Brendan Kelly and Davis are splitting the running back snaps for the remainder of spring football.

"It was hard because Brynn is like my brother," Davis said. "When they called and told me, I ran over to his room and checked on him. … He was like, man, until I come back, you've got to do it for both of us."

Davis said he is determined to run hard for Harvey and to prove to he is capable of being a leader on and off the field.

"This is my opportunity to step up and show the coaching staff what I can do," he said.

Read Iliana Limón's blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/knightsnotepad and e-mail her at ilimon@orlandosentinel.com. Subscribe to our College Sports email newsletter at http://www.orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.